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Cal (5-3) vs. Washington State (7-1) Game Preview

One Reason Why Cal Will Win

The defense has been incredible over the last few weeks. It’s as if the 37-7 loss to UCLA jarred something, because the Bears have been a beast allowing just seven points against a solid Oregon State offense, and keeping Washington to just ten points last week.

Of course, if you can slow down the pass, you stop Washington State, and that’s what the Bears have been able to do.

Oregon is the only team to throw for over 200 yards, and Justin Herbert is the only quarterback to throw two touchdown passes. Cal has given up just two touchdown passes with five interceptions over the last four games.

It’ll give up passes, and it’ll let Gardner Minshew dink and dunk, but it’s great at coming up with stops and keeping yards after the catch to a minimum.

Amazing at getting the big third down stop, it’ll win its share of battles against the Wazzu passing game that’s on a roll.

The Bears did it last year …

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One Reason Why Washington State Will Win

The revenge angle is more of a media creation than anything tangible for 18-to-22-year-olds, and Luke Falk isn’t the quarterback anymore after the offense gave up five interceptions in last year’s 37-3 clunker to Cal – spoiling a 6-0 start.

But yeah, Washington State would like to win this game.

Yes, the Cal pass defense is impressive, but it’s about to get hit by a Cougar passing game that’s humming on all cylinders.

Gardner Minshew has been Heisman-worthy, completing 71% of his passes for 3,183 yards and 26 touchdowns with six picks, coming up with 400 yards or more in five games and roaring past 300 yards in every game.

For all of the solid things Cal might be doing, it doesn’t have the scoring pop, and turnovers – while they’ve slowed – have been a problem.

The Cougars are able to control the clock, come up with the big throws when needed, and they’re not turning the ball over enough to matter.

What’s Going To Happen

Cal has the right makeup, skills, and style to stop what Washington State does, but it won’t be able to do it.

Wazzu can play a little D, too.

Minshew will be Minshew with 300 yards, but he’s not going to go ballistic. The Cougars will get up early, though, and that will be enough. Cal won’t have the offense to keep up the pace or push ahead when it gets its chances.